Back from a Philly cheesesteak sandwich and a small Caesar salad, then picking up packages. Prior to that I had a haircut. I haven't talked about it, I don't think, but Grant Geissman has been fixing up this house he bought next to his other extra house (he bought it to stop it being a tear down, so there are decent people left in the world). I saw it before any work had been done and he'd asked me about moving there. I told him what I'd need to do so, i.e. more space and a proper TV room. That's all built now and they're putting in the hardwood floor and it's looking really nice. What I'm liking about it is all new things - everything is new within the house - fixtures, everything. Still to come, fixing the front yard of the house, which is still horrible. But he thinks it will all be done in six weeks. So, as soon as he figures out the lowest rent he can charge (in order for me to move it will have to be less than I'm paying now, for sure), I'll have to make the decision. I've been in this house for thirteen years now - the longest I've lived anywhere as an adult. I love this neighborhood but the last year has been very trying - things go wrong in the house and unless I attend to them they stay wrong and then when I try to get reimbursed I get grief for not calling them. But I've been down that road and, for example, it took three years to get the horrible windows fixed. These are things that need immediate attention, like the broken sprinklers, but immediate is not in their vocabulary. Plus the tear downs continue unabated, everywhere you look. The charm of this neighborhood is evaporating daily as rich, entitled jerks, usually TV and film people, do the tear downs and move in - the houses have changed the entire vibe of the neighborhood and I just don't want to hear any more hammering and yammering and see any more trucks.
The other house is about seven minutes from here in my old Sherman Oaks neighborhood. Given that everything is new, I doubt I'll have any problems in the house and even if I do, Grant will take care of them instantly. So, while I'd miss the City of Studio, I wouldn't miss the mess they're making of it. The other house has lots you can walk to - it's only a five-minute walk to Ventura Blvd. and tons of excellent restaurants. Jerry's is still an easy drive. The big Ralph's market is right there, too. So, plenty to think about.
